Cherry trees traditionally give poetic charm to spring in Japan. Families and friends gather under these trees to enjoy picnics and drinking as well as the aesthetic beauty of the cherry blossom itself. The unique culture surrounding cherry blossoms in Japan is well known around the world, and when the season arrives many tourists from abroad visit famous cherry blossom sites throughout Japan. Some 10 cherry varieties are native to Japan, and more than 100 varieties of cherry trees have been produced from those wild species. Cherry trees are found mainly in the northern hemisphere in Asia, North America and Europe and, depending on the variety and the local area in which they grow, present a broad spectrum of scenic charm.

Some 30,000 shiroyama cherry trees cover Mt. Yoshino, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unlike cherry trees planted to attract and please sightseers, this variety has close ties with mountain religion.

This tourist spot begs to be seen as much at night as in the daytime. Some four thousand somei yoshino cherry trees are illuminated by thousands of lanterns, and the beauty of their reflection on the surface of the moat earns the park a ranking as one of Japan’s top 3 evening cherry viewing spots.

The cherry trees on the east bank of the Potomac River were gifted by Japan to the United States over a hundred years ago as a symbol of peace and goodwill between the two nations. The National Cherry Blossom Festival held in Washington each spring when the cherry trees are in bloom is well known.

Located not far from the center of Paris, the chateau’s symmetrical gardens, laid out by renowned landscape gardener André Le Nôtre, who also designed the gardens at the Palace of Versailles, are well worth a visit.

This is one of the longest-established parks to be found in Stockholm. As the ice on the artificial skating rink thaws, cherry trees gifted by Japan reach full bloom. With many shopping malls and cafes close by, the park is always crowded with visitors.